Lock



May 12, 1931. w SCHLUMPF 1,804,955

LOCK

Filed April 16, 1928 lNV NTOR r through a key channel in Patented May 12, 1931 WALTER SCHLUMPF, or ntnsnrns nnwyonn I LOCK" L l Application filed April 1 This invention relates to an improved lock that is designed to provide a cheap and secure lock which is constructed to receive a key without any particular care being eX- 5 ercised in the way in which the key is inserted. In other words, the key has no top or bottom. I

The invention provides a lock which has a barrel turned by a key that enters the barrel the lock casing.

The cross-sectional form of the recess in the barrel and that of the key channel are the same, that of the key channel is, in the main, round and the projections in the channel are spaced longitudinally in order to allow the key to turn when an annular groove in the key is in register with the annular row of projections. The number of rows and their spacings provide many forms of locks 2 and the shape and number of projections also provide an endless number of changes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a lock of this kind with a catch that will release the barrel only when the keyis of the proper diameter.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a section of a lock made according to my invention and Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 in Figure made for the lock shown and Figure 1 is a section on line 4-4 in Figure 8. Figure 5 is a side view of a modified form of key.

In the form of lock illustrated I show the usual adjustable back plate 11, the adjust ment being present to allow the lock to be fitted to doors of various thicknesses. The screw 12 is the form of adjustment illus-, trated. V The casing has the front plate-12which has the recess 13 for assisting in guiding the key to the key channel 14. I

p In the casing which is secured in any suitable way to the latch operated by the lock. The latch is not shown but the spindle 16 is shown as the element to be turned by the barrel when the barrel is turned by a key. The latch part beyond the spindle 16 is any well known construc- 20 in the recess.

' 22 against turning in .Washer 24: with teeth 25 to coincide with the z 1. Figure 3 is aside view of a key lock casing 10, which is provided with the 1928. Serial it avoase'i if tion and'there is no necessity ofshowing it in this case. The spindle is locked to the barrel by the key 17 or any other device for the purpose.

The keychannel 1a is in line with a key-receiving recess 18 in the barrel 15. The key channel 1 1- and the recess 18 are provided with projections which in the form illustrated are shapediasteeth .19 in the channel and teeth 7 The teeth in the channel are spaced longgitudinally and this is done in "a manner to allow variation in thelongitudinal spacing'by placing the washers 21 which are provided with the teeth 19 between the cylindrical pieces 22. The pieces 22 have circular openings so that they formthe main key channel and the teeth 19 form the proections. The keys 23 hold the parts 21 and the casing 10. A front teeth above described is usually placed at the front of the casing.

This form of lock when the teeth or projections are regularly spaced will receive its key without regard to any particular position i of the key. In this connection I show the key for the lock in Figure 1. This key comprisesa shank 26 which has longitudinal grooves 27 to allow passage along the teeth 19 and 20 and annular grooves 28 spaced as are the washers 21 to allow the key to turn when it is inserted all the way 1n to engage v therecess 18 in the barrel 15.

A key with a variation in the number and spacing of the teeth in 21,.(31I'CLl11'lT6I61'1i3l21l directlon 01111 the spacing and number or" its annular'grooves 28 will not fit into the lock shown and therefore the number of combinations possible in the location of the projec tions both longitudinally and radially, are

practically innumerable.

To further insure against opening of the lock except by a proper key I provide a catch 10 is the rotatablev barrel 15 29 seated in the slot 30 and movable laterally usually by reason of its being pivoted as at of such a degree of prominence as will en-' the catch projects into the key channel and is able a key of proper diameter to move the tooth 33 out of the groove, 32. This projection 35 can be placed at various points along the channel to fit the engaging part on the proper key.

This description so far has been directed to a lock in which the teeth or projections 19 and 20 are aligned parallel with the. axis of the key channel. It is obvious that these might be turned and in this case the key Would have the grooves 27 with a pitch. To show this I illustrate such a key in Figure 5 in which the grooves 27 are shown in this twisted or helical arrangement.

Various other changes can be made in the lock Without departing from the scope of my invention.

I claim A lock comprising a casing including cylindrical pieces and Washers arranged side by side forming a key channel, the Washers having symmetrically spaced teeth on their inner curved faces projecting into the key channel so formed and a barrel rotatable at the end of the casing the barrel having a recess With projections corresponding to those on the Washers and normally aligned therewith Wherby a cylindrical serrated key can be inserted in the lock Without regard to its rota tive position.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

WVALTER SCHLUMPF. 

